Shaft-coupling



v (No Model.)

. v LILI'AUGHT.V SHAET'GOUPLING.. .Y I NO.'260,467-. Patented July 4, 1882.v

lmp will" UNITED STATES Q PATENT GFFICE.

' LUTHER R. FAUGHT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent N o. 260,467, dated July 4,V 1882,

i. Application filed March 31, 1882. (No model.)

To all'whom itmayroncein: f

` ofthe city and countyof Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have `invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shaft-Gouplings, of which improvements the following isv a specification.

My invention relates to shaft-couplings of the class known as clamp77 or compression couplings, the distinguishing characteristic of which is the employment of sleeves or casings surrounding portions of the sections of shafting to be connected, and having such flexibilityr as to admit of being compressed thereon to a degree of tightness ,which willinduce a frictional resistance superior to the strain-of torsion transmitted from one of the connected sections to the other. To practically and usefully fulfill the requirements ofservice, a coupling of this description shouldpossess, first, sufcient strength with theleast practicable quantity of material; second, capability of firmly grasping the shafting vand maintaining its position circumferentially thereon undisturbed under both intermittent and continin ons strains, third, adaptability of its clamping members to be readily and quickly released whenever required; and, fourth, provision for separate and independent locking to each of the sections tobe connected, in order that variation in the diameter thereof may neither iinpair'thesolidity ofthe connection nor injuriously aect the alignment of the sh'afting.

It is the object of my invention to provide a shaft-coupling which shall embody, as far as may be, the features above stated, as well as those of simplicity, durability, and'reduced cost of construction relatively to prior strncture, to which end my improvements consist in the combination of two iiexible sleeves, each having a wedge or inclined-sided rib located helically upon its periphery, a rigid. inclosing case or shell having an internal helical recess corresponding in section to the wedges of the sleeves, and means for compressing the sleeves upon the shaft-sections by increasing the bearing of their wedges upon the recess ofthe outer shell, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal central section through a shaftcoupling embodying my` invention; Fig. 2, a

`transverse section through thesame at the Be 1t known that I, LUTHEERFAUGH'T,

line ap a: of l; Fig. 3,-an end view of the same; Fig. 4, alongitudinal central section .through the outer shell, and Fig. 5 a view in elevation of one of the flexible sleeves.

To carry out my invention I provide a cylindrical shell or case, A, having an inclinedsided recess, a, extending hclically over its inner surface, the section ot' said recess being such as to admitof engagement with the wedges b, to be presentlydescribed. Two laterallyiexif ble sleeves, B B, bored out centrallyto a diameter admitting of their easy adjustment upon the sections U C of shafting which are to be connected,are fitted upon said sections adjaly to their normal form upon the release of such applied compression. A Wedge, rib, or projection, b, the sides of which are inclined at an angle (preferably acute) to the axis of the sleeves B, is formed helically upon the periphery of each of-them, said wedges, in order that the greatest practicable amount of frictio'nal surface may be obtained, constituting screw-threads', which extend continuously over the periphery of the sleeves and engage with the correspondingly formed recess a ot the outer shell, A.

Transverse. slots a', formed centrally in the shell, and having their end walls perpendicular to the axis thereof, serve for the reception of a pair oflocking-keys, b3, the length of which is about equal to the diameter of the shell, and which are straight on one side and tapered at equal angles upon the other, so that when placed within the slots ct' with their tapered sides in contact, their opposite sides will remain parallel, irrespective of changes in their position longitudinally. p

In the operation ofthe coupling its connection with the shafts is effected by inserting the yICC) locking-keys b3 in the slots a' of the shell A and screwing the sleeves B B into the shell with suincient force to hold the keys in position. The shaft-keys b2 are then inserted in the sleeves B B and the shafts C C slipped into the sleeves, the operation being facilitated, if necessary, by driving wed ges into the slots of the sleeves, so as to springthem outwardly, and thus increase their central opening. Said expanding-wedges having been withdrawn after the insertion of the sections of shafting, the coupling is clamped thereto by turning one of the sections in a direction correspondin gto the lead of the helical wedges, the other section being meanwhile held stationary so as to force the sleeves to a rm bearing against the locking-wedges. The longitudinal movement ot' the sleeves being thus arrested,while rotation of one section and the shell is continued, compression ofthe sleeves within the helical recess ofthe shell will be effected, with the result of closing them upon the shafts with a degree of tightness increasing proportionately to the power applied to the rotation of the shaft, and consequentlyincreasingin degree in the operation of the shaft in service, so that the greater the torsional strain that may be exerted upon the shafting the more rmly will the sections be held in connection.

The coupling may also be locked to the shafts by placing the parts in position as before and then partially withdrawing the locking-keys, thereby admitting of the sleeves being screwed more closely together, so that when the locking-keys are driven back into position in the shell compression of the sleeves is effected by the tightening of their wedges in the recess of the sleeve, as before recited, to be caused by the rotation of one of the shaft-sections. The release of the coupling from the shafting is readily andquickly effected, whenever required, by drifting back olle or both of the locking-keys, thereby relievin g the sleeves from compression and permitting the free separation of the several members.

As before stated, the angles of the sides of the wedges are preferably acute, thus forming a comparatively flat thread, the helical form of which enables a powerful locking-surface to be provided over the entire periphery of the sleeve; and, further, the structural advan tage obtains that the threaded sleeves and shells can be more economically manufactured than corresponding members having conical frictional surfaces, the accurate construction of which is more difficult and expensive than the formation of threaded cylindrical surfaces. The lead of the sleeve-wedges must be in such direction as will correspond with the direction of rotation of the shafting to which they are to be applied, as otherwise thcapplication of torsional strain in the operation of the shaft would effect the release of the sleeves from their induced compression upon the shaft-sections.

My improvements provide a coupling which is extremely simple in construction and of ready application. It may be made of strength equal to the most approved compressioneouplings heretofore employed with a smaller quantity of metal and at a reduced cost of manufacture, and, inasmuch as its clamping action upon the shafting is increased proportionately with the strain transmitted through the same in-operation, the sections thereof are connected with the amplest firmness that is practicable or necessary'.

I am aware that clamping-sleeves made tapering or conical upon their external and internal surfaces, and either plain or threaded, have been heretofore known, and such, therefore, l disclaim, a leading characteristic ot' my invention being the avoidance of the use ot' conical elements.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination of a cylindrical sleeve having a central cylindrical bore and a slot or division extending therefrom vto its periphery throughout its length, and a wedge or inclinedsided rib located helically upon the periphery of the sleeve, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A shaft-coupling in which are combined two flexible sleeves, each of uniformly cylindrical bore, and having a wedge or inclinedsided rib of uniform diameter throughout, located helically upon its periphery, a rigid inclosing case or shell having an internal helical recess corresponding to and engaging with the wedges of the two sleeves, and a device interposed between the sleeves for compressing them upon the shaft-sections by increasing the bearing of their wedges against the outer shell, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, substantially as set forth, of two flexible sleeves having helical wedges upon their peripheries, a rigid shell recessed helically to engage the wedges of the sleeves, and a locking-key passing transversely through theouter shell and serving to transmit pressure in opposite directions to the inner ends of the sleeves.

L. R. FAUGIll.

Witnesses:

J. SNOWDEN BELL, WALTER S. GIBSON.

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